UCSB's Decathletes Shine in Northridge Invitational

Mar 15, 2013

Northridge, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara decathletes had a strong first outing at the Northridge Invitational. Both Gauchos Billy Britt and Ike Okpara competed in the weekend's decathlon events and finished second and third overall, respectively.

Britt, a junior, captured a career high point total with 5814. He also set personal bests in the Long Jump, 1500 M, 400 M, and 100 M events. Most notable was his achievement in the Long Jump, as he finished with the invitational's top mark with 6.64 m, which is 0.22 m longer than his previous career-high.

Okpara, a freshman, made his collegiate decathlon debut at Northridge, compiling a 5605 point total for a third place finish.

He finished top in his heat with an 18.03 mark in the 110 m hurdles, finishing sixth overall, while Britt finished second with a 16.16 time.

Britt's 11.43 m throw in the shot put was second at the meet as well. Okpara's distance of 10.87 m placed him in fourth event.

In the discuss throw, Okpara bested his Gaucho teammate by earning third place with a 35.09 mark, while Britt finished second in the event with 34.68.

Both athletes put UCSB in both first and second in the high jump. Britt finished on top with 1.89 mark, while Okpara was behind him with 1.86 m.

They also had two of the top marks in the 400 meters. Britt won his heat and recorded the third best time with 50.87, while Okpara had a 51.37 mark for fourth.

In the 1500 meter event, Britt's 4:44.70 was good for second place. Okpara rounded out the top five with a 4:56.58 time.